Flawless River (Grizzly Bear Lake #2) - Ruby Shae Page 0,25

take drastic measures to get his point across. He took the bag of treats out of her hand, and set it on the stool next to him, and then he put his hands on her waist.

“Put your hands on my shoulders.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I’m going to lift you up on this counter so we can talk face-to-face. On the count of three. One.”

“What? No!”

“Two.”

“Lael, I’m—”

“Three.”

The little squeal she let out made him laugh, and even though she wasn’t laughing, he didn’t hide his mirth.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” she grumbled.

“Why not?”

“Because…” He could see the indecision on her face, and he knew the real excuse would have something to do with her size, but she didn’t voice it. “Because I wasn’t ready.”

“Liar,” he teased. “I gave you plenty of warning.”

“What? You did not! You knew I would object, which I did, so you pushed your way through without even listening.”

“I was listening,” he laughed, “but your objection was unfounded. Just like your worries about everyone thinking we are going on a real date.”

He let his smile fade, and leaned in closer, placing both of his hands flat on the counter, and caged her in without touching.

“I know I agreed to just being friends, but that’s not all I want. I asked you out to dinner because I do want to date you, and I don’t care who knows it. The women who come here…there was a time when I used to hook-up with the lake girls—have sex with them—but that was a long time ago. After a while, random hook-ups just got old, and I haven’t been with anyone in over five years. I haven’t wanted anyone, either. Not until you showed up.”

“Oh.”

Just one word.

That was her only response, but it was enough for now. She was looking at him with a mix of hope, worry, and something else he couldn’t name, and he knew he still had a lot to prove, but he was okay with that. He wanted her, but as long as she knew his intentions, there was no rush. He would be her friend first, and hopefully, one day, she would agree to more.

“I know you don’t want to like me—”

“Lael…”

“Let me finish. I don’t understand why, but I know you don’t want to like me. You don’t want to, but you do. At least a little bit. Is that true?”

Tears filled her eyes, and she looked away, but not before answering him.

“Yes.”

“Good,” he said. He palmed her cheek, and turned her face back toward his. “Because I like you, too. I also know you’re not ready for a relationship, so we’ll take things slow, okay? However long you need, is how long we take, and if you change your mind, then that’s fine, too. Then we stay friends. Deal?”

“Okay,” she whispered. One errant tear rolled down her cheek, but they both ignored it.

“Good. So that means, you can hang out here whenever you want—and I hope it’s often—knowing that I want you here. Whatever happens, I will always want you here, and I don’t care what anyone else thinks. Especially not some annoying tourist women that don’t mean anything to me. Understand?”

She nodded, and he didn’t push for more.

“I’m going to kiss you now, okay?”

She nodded, but then hesitated and took a deep breath.

“I…”

“It will be okay, sweetheart.”

She curled her fingers around the fabric covering his shoulders, but then she nodded again, and he didn’t waste any more time.

He leaned in slowly, giving her enough time to either get used to his nearness, or push him away, and then he brushed his lips gently against hers. The touch was barely a peck, but he felt it everywhere, and he knew, without a doubt, that she was meant to be his.

He brushed his lips against hers again, and her fingers relaxed, freeing the captive fabric, and then he kissed her again, and again, adding a little more pressure each time until she gasped and tightened her grip on his shoulders.

The movement was subtle, but it was enough, and he took advantage of her parted lips. He swiped his tongue across the soft flesh, and then he slowly entered her mouth, pushing forward and retreating until she opened for him completely.

He gently explored, sliding his tongue against hers, and then tasting the rest of her before retreating to start all over again. The next time he slid his tongue against hers, she licked him back, and then she slid her hands to the nape of his neck, and